CONGRESSWOMAN JEN KIGGANS RECEIVES 2026 THAD COCHRAN LEADERSHIP AWARD FROM THE AMERICAN SHIPBUILDING SUPPLIERS ASSOCIATION

WASHINGTON, D.C. — March 26, 2026 — The American Shipbuilding Suppliers Association (ASSA) today presented U.S. Representative Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02) with its highest honor, the 2026 Honorable Thad Cochran Leadership Award, recognizing her sustained support for a strong U.S. shipbuilding industrial base and naval readiness.The award was presented in Washington, D.C. by Roger Camp of Hanwha Defense USA, who serves as ASSA President and CEO, and Paul Roden of Fairbanks Morse Defense, on behalf of the association’s membership.

“Each year, ASSA recognizes members of Congress who demonstrate a clear commitment to strengthening the nation’s shipbuilding capabilities and industrial base,” said Camp.

“Congresswoman Kiggans has shown consistent leadership across workforce policy, funding, and long-term strategic planning for the maritime sector.”As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Kiggans has supported defense legislation and funding initiatives aimed at strengthening the U.S. Navy and its supporting industrial base. Her legislative efforts include co-sponsorship and introduction of measures such as the Save Our Shipyards Act (2025), which would establish a national commission to evaluate and recommend reforms to the U.S. maritime industrial base.

She has also supported legislation focused on workforce stability at public shipyards, including policies to mitigate hiring freezes and workforce reductions that impact critical skilled trades such as welding, engineering, and ship repair.

“From our perspective, inconsistent demand and offshoring decisions that can permanently eliminate critical U. S. shipbuilding capabilities remains the most pressing challenge facing the domestic shipbuilding industry,” said Roden. “Congresswoman Kiggans has maintained a strong focus on policies that preserve the supplier base that is essential to fleet readiness, industrial resilience and national security.”

In addition, Rep. Kiggans has supported shipbuilding and shipyard infrastructure investments through the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act, including funding for shipyard modernization efforts under the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program, as well as improvements to dry docks, electrical systems, and pier infrastructure.

“I recognize the growing strategic competition from nations such as China and the importance of ending procurement of Chinese components within the U. S. shipbuilding programs,” said Kiggans. “I am honored to receive this award and remain committed to strengthening our shipbuilding capabilities and workforce.”

ASSA cited Rep. Kiggans’ consistent engagement on issues affecting the shipbuilding supplier base, including her advocacy for policies that expand workforce pipelines, protect domestic manufacturing, and support long-term fleet readiness.

“Congresswoman Kiggans’ record reflects a comprehensive approach—supporting funding, workforce development, and industrial base reform,” Camp added. “Her leadership helps address the challenges facing a critical component of our national security infrastructure.”

Past recipients of the Thad Cochran Leadership Award include Rob Wittman (2017), Tammy Baldwin (2018), Joe Courtney (2019), John Garamendi (2020), Donald Norcross (2021), Suzan DelBene (2022), Roger Wicker (2023), Trent Kelly (2024), and Mark Kelly (2025). The American Shipbuilding Suppliers Association is a national, member-driven organization that advocates on behalf of the U.S. shipbuilding supplier base before Congress, the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Maritime Administration, and the nation’s shipbuilders. The organization’s mission is to support policies that strengthen and sustain the domestic maritime industrial base and supply chain.

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